In his first appointment as President of the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly, His Excellency Joseph Deiss appointed H.E. Ambassador Zahir Tanin, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, to serve as chair for the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform.Â Ambassador Tanin also currently serves as a Vice-President of the 65th session of the UNGA.

This is the third consecutive session in which Ambassador Tanin has chaired this process, which began officially during the 63rd session of the GA with the transition out of the Open-Ended Working Group and the launch of negotiations in February of 2009. Since then, Ambassador Tanin has overseen five rounds of negotiations and the preparation, for the first time, of a negotiation text which was met with universal and unanimous support from Member States.

As this process enters into its third year, Member States will seek to capitalize on the substantial achievements of the previous sessions in order to construct a transparent, inclusive, and comprehensive framework for reform, based on the positions and proposals of Member States, and in keeping with GA decisions 62/557, 63/565, and 64/568, in the search for an early solution that can garner the widest possible political acceptance.

Ambassador Tanin has accepted the appointment. He believes the process has reached a crucial and promising stage. â€œI feel that the Membership has both the momentum and the political will to find a solution,â€ he says, â€œbut as always, this process must be owned and driven by the Member States themselves.â€

As I take the floor for the first time, let me congratulate your Excellency on behalf of my delegation for your election as the Chair of the Second Committee. My delegation is confident that the important work of Second Committee under your wise and able leadership will be fruitful and successful during the General Assemblyâ€™s 65th Session. I take this opportunity to express our thanks to your predecessor for his excellent work. I also extend my congratulations to members of the Bureau for their election and assure you and the Bureau of our full cooperation.

I would like to express my support to the statement delivered by the delegation of Yemen on behalf of G-77 and China. As well I would like to affiliate myself with statements delivered by the delegations of Nepal and Pargway on behalf of LDCs and LLDCs.

Madam Chair,

Second Committee will deal with a large number of important issues, my delegation stress on the following issues to be addressed by the second committee:

Not longtime ago the world leaders in New York gathered to review the achievements and challenges of MDGs. At the time of the Millennium Declarationâ€™s adoption in 2000, Afghanistan was cut off, isolated from the international community by the Taliban regime, which denied Afghan people even the most fundamental human rights and allowed terrorists to use Afghan soil to launch attacks around the world.Â In 2001, with the overthrow of the Taliban regime, Afghanistan slowly began to rebuild its shattered political, economic and social structures, and regained its rightful place in the community of nations.Â Our country undertook a series of policies aimed at a comprehensive reconstruction and stabilization of the political and economic situation both nationally and regionally. These policies centered on the urgent need to bring the Afghan people out of grinding poverty and provide them with the basic human rights, opportunities and services that had been denied them for decades.

In 2004, Afghanistan was able to join the rest of the international community in committing to a series of time-bound Development Goals. Because we were late in joining the MDGs, our targets were set to be achieved by 2020.Â Therefore, we consider that those countries that are behind others in achieving their MDGs should be dully considered by the second committee.

Afghanistan, strongly believes that United Nation can play a very important role in helping developing countries and particularly LDCs including those countries emerging from conflict in achieving their MDGs.

My delegation, believes that the issues related to ongoing financial and economic crisis have enormous impact on development agenda of the developing and particularly the least developed countries, therefore, deserve to be addressed seriously.

My delegation, stress that the second committee to take into consideration some of the worldâ€™s most difficult and pressing development issues, including poverty eradication, fight against hunger, disease, environmental degradation, and the promotion of gender equality, education and health.

Afghanistan believes that poverty reduction can only be achieved through effective cooperation among all stakeholders. It also requires a resolute commitment on the part of both developed and developing countries for increased cooperation. In that regard, Afghanistan underscores the need for continued international support â€“ in the form of financial and technical assistance – for developing countries.Â The past years have seen a reduction in Official Development Assistance (ODA).Â More needs to be done to prevent this trend.

By the same token, more needs to be done for ensuring effective utilization of official development assistance.Â Donor countries should consider channeling greater portions of development assistance through the core national budgets of developing countries.Â In short, national ownership of development priorities among developing countries is of paramount importance.

As more than 80% of population in my country depend on agriculture for their livelihood, thus we emphasis on matters related to agriculture development and food security to be addressed by the Second Committee.

Madam Chair,

Afghanistan has made enormous strides in the past decade, emerging from the ruins of war to build a more functioning government, a more prosperous economy, and a more healthy society. However, the complex issue of security remains as a big impediment for the government to implement its development policies, therefore we consider that the issue of security and its impact on development of post conflict countries to be given due consideration by the second committee.

I would like to extend my congratulations to you and the members of the Bureau on your elections. My delegation is confident in your able chairmanship and assures you of our full support and cooperation during the deliberations of this Committee.Â First, I wish to align my delegation with the statement delivered by the (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

In addition, given the importance my delegation attaches to this agenda item, I would like to make a statement from our national perspective, highlighting some of our views on the Item under consideration.

Madam Chairperson,

Afghanistan has had a long and painful experience with terrorism and continues to suffer horrific terrorist attacks on a daily basis. Taking this opportunity, my delegation would like to extend its solidarity with all victims of terrorism around the world and to express its sincere condolences to the families of all those who have lost their lives at the hands of terrorists.

Madam Chairperson,

The General Assembly, as the most representative UN organ, has considered the issue of international terrorism for more than two decades. However, despite these and other efforts by the United Nations and Member States, terrorism still spreads and, along with the destructive and criminal activities associated with it, continues to threaten peace and security around the world.

Following the heinous attacks of 11 September 2001 in the United States, the international community unanimously declared the Global War on International Terrorism. The Government of Afghanistan and its partners in the international community have made tremendous progress in improving the lives of ordinary Afghans and creating conditions allowing them to live a life free from the fear of the threat of terrorism. Nevertheless, terrorist elements and enemies of peace and security in Afghanistan remain active: attacking schools, clinics, teachers, students- particularly young girls, doctors, humanitarian workers, government employees as well as Afghan and international security forces.

Terrorists operate across borders and use every available weapon, technique and opportunity to reach their destructive goals. They seek to deprive Afghans of their every basic right, and violate every norm of international law, particularly international humanitarian and human rights laws.

The people of Afghanistan, as well as other innocent people around the world, continue to experience horrific acts of terror and violence in their daily lives. We must intensify, and better coordinate, our efforts, in order to protect our people from this brutality.

Madam Chairperson,

For its part, Afghanistan reaffirms its strong commitment to fight against terrorism and Â Â Â strongly condemns of all acts of terrorism and extremism. We remain convinced that terrorism, in all its forms, and manifestations, and irrespective of motivation or objective, committed by whomever, wherever, and for whatever purposes, can never be justified. Terrorism cannot be associated with any religion, nationality, race, faith, or culture, but is an evil that afflicts us all.

As an active partner of the international community in the war against terrorism and extremism, Afghanistan has taken specific measures at the national, regional and international levels to secure peace and stability in Afghanistan and in our region.

- Forbidding the paying of ransoms to those who are subject to sanctions as a result of their connection to Al Qaeda or the Taliban according to SC resolution 1904 adopted on December 2009,

- Mandating Afghanistanâ€™s full cooperation with the subsidiary bodies of the Security Council related to counterterrorism namely 1267, 1373, and 1540,

- Combating the Financing of Terrorism,

- Combating Terrorist Criminalities,

– Combating money laundering and other criminal income

â€“ Establishing a Financial Transaction and report Analysis Center, within the Central Bank of Afghanistan,

-Ratifying the UN Convention against Corruption,

- Establishing the Council of Scholars and Religious Leaders to advocate against terrorism as an anti-Peace and anti-Islamic action

- Creating independent national authorities and departments for counter terrorism within the relevant ministries to detect and study the phenomena of terrorism and its supporting elements, track terrorist elements, watch over banking and financial institutions, and freeze suspected accounts in implementation of Security Council Resolution 1822 (2008).

â€“ Appointing a National Focal Point to the National Counter-Terrorism Focal Points group.

â€“ Establishing an Inter Ministerial Working Group (IMWG) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate the implementation of all international conventions and protocols, as well as General Assembly and Security Council resolutions relating to international terrorism.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Requiring the Afghan National Security Forces including the ANA and the ANP, alongside international military forces, to take more responsibility for combating terrorism, providing stability and protecting the Afghan people.

In addition:

Afghanistan has joined all international Protocols and Conventions against International Terrorism,

Afghanistan has joined the Global Initiative Combating Nuclear Terrorism,

Afghanistan has provided or is finalizing its national reports to the relevant UN SC Committee secretariats,

Afghanistan is working closely with the 1267 and Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) and other bodies regarding the listing and delisting of individuals and entities, on the basis a fair and clear procedure, including the delisting of individuals who join the stabilization process in the country and accept the Constitution,

Afghan delegations have participated actively in International Workshops on anti-terrorism, sponsored and financed by donor countries through the CTC, UNODC and other UN agencies.

We are making every effort to enhance regional cooperation with neighboring countries through various mechanisms and relevant forums, including SAARC to achieve prosperity, peace and stability, as an essential tool in fighting terrorism.

We have signed bilateral agreements with some countries and are participating actively in bilateral and trilateral mechanisms on anti drug and counter terrorism activities.

Madame Chairperson,

As a measure for lasting peace and security in Afghanistan, the Afghanistan has embarked on a comprehensive reintegration and reconciliation initiative to co-opt those armed opposition that are willing to give up violence, embrace Afghanistan constitution and democracy, and return to normal life. The national consultative peace jirga was a milestone for galvanizing national consensus for peace-building as an essential component of our overall efforts to improve security in Afghanistan.Â The High Peace Council has been established to support, guide and monitor the implementation of our reintegration and reconciliation strategy. In this regard, we urge international support in terms of financial contributions to our â€œpeace and reconciliation trust fund.â€

Madam Chairperson,

Though the people and government of Afghanistan, with the generous support of our partner and friends in the international community, are making significant progress towards stabilizing and rebuilding the country, terrorists, extremists and criminal groups in our region led by the Taliban and Al Qaeda continue to infiltrate our borders to destroy our achievements and remain the major destabilizing factor in Afghanistan.

Madam Chairperson,

In order to take speedy and effective measures to eliminate international terrorism, all States must fulfill their obligations in combating terrorism, consistent with the UN charter and all relevant United Nations international protocol and instruments, all relevant GA and Security Council resolutions, including 1267, inter alia by prosecuting and extraditing perpetratorsÂ denying them shelter and safe havens, andÂ refraining from allowing the use of their territories for brainwashing, equipping, planning, training, and financing of groups and individuals for such acts against other states.

We are all exposed to these threats, so a firm, united and sincere stance and more effective measures by all member states is required.

MadamÂ Chairperson,

Afghanistan reaffirms its support for the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, as the first universally agreed strategic frame work to combat terrorism in a holistic and integrated manner, with a transparent, broad and comprehensive approach to the implementation of all four pillars.

Afghanistan reiterates its call for an international high level conference under the auspicious of the United Nations to formulate a organized joint response of the international community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In this regards we support the proposal to develop an International Code of Conduct against terrorism within the framework of the UN.

Afghanistan reiterates the importance of concluding a Comprehensive Convention for Combating International Terrorism.. My delegation calls upon all interested delegations to cooperate in resolving the outstanding issues with a view to paving the way for the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention in our current session. We hope that once this Convention enters into force, it will serve as an effective tool for combating international terrorism.

Madam Chairperson,

In order to strengthen the central leading role of the UN in its efforts to combat terrorism, the coordination of the various UN agencies by the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) is particularly valuable and important. The CTITF should be ensured a solid financial basis to help countries in need to build the necessary capacities to effectively fulfill their counter-terrorism responsibilities.

Afghanistan renews its support for the proposal of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Highness King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud to establish an international centre, under the auspices of the United Nations, to combat international terrorism.

In conclusion Madam Chairperson,

Our ongoing painful experience in the war on terror has proven that, as long as terrorist ideological centers, training facilities, infrastructure, sanctuaries and financial resources remain protected, the concerns of the people are not addressed and the root causes are not removed, our region will continue to be the breeding ground for terrorist elements. In such a situation Afghanistan, our region and the world will remain targets. Therefore, this topic needs our urgent attention, our strong political will and our joint and sincere efforts and cooperation. Our efforts to counter this threat must be firm, sincere, coherent, comprehensive and adaptive.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express the gratitude of Afghan people to our friends and partners in the intentional community, who have helped and continue to contribute with their blood and resources to secure a safe and stable Afghanistan, and express our sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones for this cause.